The University of Ghana School of Pharmacy witnessed a momentous occasion as over 100 students officially transitioned into the clinical years of the Doctor of Pharmacy programme during its 2nd White Coat Ceremony.
Held at the prestigious Great Hall of the University, the event marked a significant milestone in the academic journey of these aspiring pharmacists who successfully completed four years of studies as part of the pharmacy programme.
Under the theme “Embracing Ethical Excellence in Pharmacy Practice,” the ceremony underscored the importance of ethical conduct and professional excellence in the field of pharmacy. Distinguished guests, faculty members, and proud family and friends gathered to celebrate the achievements of the students and offer their support as they embarked on the next phase of their education.
The ceremony commenced with remarks by the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Prof. Isaac Julius Asiedu-Gyekye. In his address, he stated the university’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in pharmacy and congratulated the students on their accomplishments thus far.
“Today, we gather to celebrate the journey of our Level 500 students as they transition into the clinical phase of their education,” the Dean stated.
He recounted that the School had conducted its inaugural White Coat Ceremony in 2023 for the Level 500 students transitioning from pre-clinical to clinical years. He reported that currently, these students were presently undergoing experiential training in various health sectors across the country, with Prof. Gyekye expressing optimism for their successful graduation in 2024.
Prof. Gyekye expressed gratitude to the deans, past deans, faculty members, and lecturers for their invaluable contributions to the students’ education and progress. He announced efforts by the School to make changes in pharmacy training by introducing a four-year bachelor of pharmacy programme alongside the doctor of pharmacy programme.
Pharmacist Kwabena Asante Offei, Esq., Vice President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), who was the thematic speaker at the event in his address, discussed the evolving roles of pharmacists, noting their expansion beyond traditional roles into areas like collaboration with health insurance providers for medication access.
“Pharmacists’ responsibilities have expanded beyond traditional roles to ensure medication access. However, this expansion brings both ethical and unethical challenges.” Pharm. Offei added.
He highlighted the ethical and unethical dimensions of these expanded roles, cautioning against overlooking mistakes due to increased awareness among patients and customers.
Dr. Samuel Kow Donkor, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), expressed enthusiasm for guiding the Level 500 students through their Doctor of Pharmacy year. He encouraged them to gain comprehensive knowledge about various aspects of pharmacy and emphasised the importance of taking their studies seriously.
For his part, Mr. Godwin Kudzo Gakpe, President of the Pharmacy Students Association, representing the class of 2025, expressed gratitude to the faculty, parents, and guardians for their firm support during the transition from Level 100 to the present.
Delivering remarks to close the event, Prof. Gordon A. Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, as the Guest of Honour, thanked the guest speakers, faculty, and students for their contributions to the ceremony’s success. He reminded the students of their responsibility as representatives of the institution and encouraged them to strive for excellence, making both the school and their parents proud.
“Remember, you are representatives of this institution. Strive for excellence and make us proud,” he encouraged the students.” Prof. Awandare stated.
The School used the opportunity to make award presentations to Dr. Barima Afrane and Dr. Samuel Frimpong Manso in recognition of their valuable contributions and years of service at the School.
A significant part of the event, as is the norm for such events, each student was called up to the dais and was vested with a white coat to signify their successful transition. They also took the appropriate oaths of transition as part of the programme.
It must be noted that before the white coat event, PharmD students complete foundational sciences, pharmacy pre-requisite courses, and introductory pharmacy practice experiences. During clinical years, they focus on advanced patient care, pharmacotherapy, and clinical rotations, gaining hands-on experience in various healthcare settings. This period requires the clinical students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world patient care scenarios, preparing students for their future roles as licensed pharmacists.
